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Mobile Cranes: The

Importance Of Lift

Assessments

Mobile crane work involves lifting and placing

many types of materials in both safe and haz-ardous locations. Although large or complicated

lifts are easily recognized as being of a critical

nature requiring additional

planning, the hazards associ-

ated with smaller lifts may be

less obvious. Therefore, it is

important to conduct a lift

assessment regardless of the

specifics of the lift. Equally as

important is a firm under-

standing of the operatorsand supervisors responsibili-

ties during any type of lift.

LIFT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Currently, there is no consensus standard

regarding when formal lift plans are required. One

widely recognized standard, from the

Construction Safety Association of Ontario,

defines a critical lift as those where the gross

load is within 75 percent of the rated capacity of

the crane. Another standard is the Exxon Crane

guide, which defines a critical lift as greater than

90 percent of the rated capacity. The bottom line

is that each company should establish its own

critical lift guidelines. The degree to which the

guidelines are applied depends on the results of

the Lift Assessment Process. Lifts can be classi-

fied by the degree of difficulty. An example of a

Lift Assessment Process, as developed and rec-

ommended by Exxon, is discussed below. A Lift

Classification Flow Chart describes the process.

- A lift planner should use the Lift Classification

Flow Chart in determining the classification of

the lift and the planning required.

- All critical lifts should have a formal Critical Lift

Plan. Outside engineering help may be required

to fully assess and resolve all important load

and site factors.

- More routine lifts are classified as Non-

Standard. The Lift Planning Process is less

involved than for a Critical Lift and is

documented on a Lift Evaluation Form.

DAILY CRANE OPERATION LOG

Most lifts will be classified as Standard and

require less planning and documentation. This

type of planning can be documented in a Daily

Crane Operation Log. A Daily Crane Operation

Log is designed to record basic lift information

and confirms the load is within the rated capac-

ity of the crane. One of the main reasons for

completing a log is that it requires the crane

operator to document even the most fundamen-

tal aspects of a lift, thereby decreasing the

chances of lifts being made in an unsafe manner.

RISK BULLETIN

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2 MOBILE CRANES: THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFT ASSESSMENTS

LIFT EVALUATION FORM

A Lift Evaluation Form (LEF) should be used

when a lift is determined to be Non-Standard.

The LEF is a one-page document. To completethe LEF, the supervisor must evaluate the basic

questions noted in the flow chart on page 2, and

with the aid of the operator, determine if the

gross load is (1) less than 20 tons, and (2)

between 80 percent and 90 percent of the man-

ufacturers load chart during all parts of the lift.

This information, in addition to some basic site

evaluation remarks, is recorded on the LEF.

Sign-offs should include the operator, lift super-

visor, area supervisor and engineer.

CRITICAL LIFT PLAN A Critical Lift Plan (CLP) consists of drawings,

specifications and procedures necessary to

accurately assess all important load and site fac-

tors relating to a critical lift. However, most lifts

do not involve all of the factors listed in the flow

chart above, in which case a minimum level of

information is required to comprise an adequate

lift plan. Main components of the CLP include:

- Elevation View Drawing

- Plan View Drawing

- Lift Analysis

All potential complicating issues for any lift

should be addressed in the lift plan. Some of the

precautions that should be addressed by the

CLP are:

- Supporting Surface Ground compact and

stable?

- Blocking Outrigger blocking used and

crawlers on pads or cribbing (unless the crane

sits on a concrete pad)?

- Level Machinery deck or boom foot pins

absolutely level?

- Load Load weight determined exactly?

- Center of Gravity Location of the loads

center of gravity determined and the crane

hook positioned above it?

- Load Radius Measured exactly?

- Boom Length Determined exactly?

- Boom Angle Boom angle, if necessary for

determining the cranes capacity, determined

exactly? (Do not rely on the cranes boom

angle indicator.)

- Wind Wind effects considered? (If wind

speeds are greater 30 mph, do not make the

lift. If greater than 20 mph, consider

postponing.)

- Overhead Exposures measure clearence

exactly

- Reeving Balanced?

- Load Rigging Checked for adequacy and

security? Exact weight of rigging known?

- Operation Reinforced the need to make all

controls, machine and load movements as

slowly and smoothly as possible?

- Unstable Load Large, thin or potentially

- Load to be lifted overequipment?or

- are 2 cranes to beused?or

- Special l iftingequipment required?or

- Is load >90% of ratedcapacity?or

- Is load >20 tons andalso >80% of ratedcapacity?

- Is load

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unstable pieces to be lifted?

- Multi-crane Lifts Will the load require more

than one crane to perform the lift?

- Congested Areas Will the lift be performedin areas where structures, pipe racks, power

lines or other obstacles are present?

- Turning Will the lift involve turning or flipping

a piece from one side to the other?

- Power Line Exposure Lines de-energized -

mandatory distance from arching?

The site supervisor is responsible for ensuring

the CLP is developed and reviewed before the lift

is made. The Plan should be presented to the

facility owner as appropriate. Responsibilities for

the lift are divided among several individuals

including the operator and the site supervisor.

Note: In the event that it becomes necessary todeviate from the CLP, the lift should be re-evalu-ated and the CLP should be revised.

CONCLUSION

The lift plan process should be followed regard-

less of the specifics of the lift. The general guide-

lines outlined above are important factors for any

company to consider when developing and

implementing a Lift Assessment Process.

The information contained herein is intended for informational

purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal

advice, seek the services of a competent attorney. Any descrip-

tions of insurance provisions are general overviews only.

"XL Insurance" is the global brand used by XL Group plcs

(NYSE: XL) insurance companies. Coverages underwritten by

Greenwich Insurance Company, Indian Harbor Insurance

Company, XL Insurance America, Inc., XL Specialty Insurance

Company and XL Insurance Company LimitedCanadian

Branch. Coverages not available in all jurisdictions.

3420-104

XL Environmental

Risk Control Division

505 Eagleview Boulevard

Suite 100

PO Box 636

Exton, PA 19341-0636

Phone: 800-327-1414

Fax: 610-458-7285

www.xlenvironmental.com

XL Environmental is a Division of XL Specialty Insurance Company.

3 MOBILE CRANES: THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFT ASSESSMENTS